Subsea actuator remediation tool

ABSTRACT

A subsea actuator remediation tool comprises a spring return hydraulic actuator which further comprises a housing defining an interior fluid pathway, a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway, a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway and in communication with the spring, a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop, a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway and disposed proximate the first end piece, a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop, and a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece. The subsea actuator remediation tool can be placed in fluid communication with one or more manifolds, including pre-existing subsea manifolds, and, if the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined level, seal the fluid lines to prevent further fluid flow until the fluid pressure issues can be resolved.

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority through, U.S. Provisional Application 62/120,695, titled “SUBSEA ACTUATOR REMEDIATION TOOL,” filed Feb. 25, 2014.

BACKGROUND

Manifolds in fluid lines, e.g. those disposed subsea, often need to have fluid pressure monitored. If the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined level, fluid lines connected to these manifolds often need to be sealed to prevent further fluid flow until the fluid pressure issues can be resolved.

FIGURES

Various figures are included herein which illustrate aspects of embodiments of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 1 is a view in partial perspective of an exterior or exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool designed to define a spring return hydraulic actuator and interface with a manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool in partial perspective;

FIG. 3 is a combined view and cross-sectional view of exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool illustrating its spring in an uncompressed state urging its piston against its piston stop;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool system; and

FIG. 5 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary subsea actuator remediation tool system console.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Subsea actuator remediation tool 1, as described below, is designed to define a spring return hydraulic actuator and interface with a manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation. Such manifolds may be pre-existing subsea manifolds.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, subsea actuator remediation tool 1, comprises housing 10 defining interior fluid pathway 20; spring 14 disposed within interior fluid pathway 20; movable piston 13 disposed within interior fluid pathway 20 and in communication with spring 14; first end piece 12 a disposed at first end 10 a of housing 10, first end piece 12 a comprising spring stop 14 a; first fluid input 19 a in fluid communication with interior fluid pathway 20 and disposed proximate first end piece 12 a; second end piece 12 b disposed at second end 10 b of housing 10 opposite first end piece 12 a, second end piece 12 b comprising piston stop 17 a; and second fluid output 19 b in fluid communication with interior fluid pathway 20, second fluid output 19 b disposed proximate second end piece 12 b.

Housing 10, and other components of subsea actuator remediation tool 1, may further designed for long duration exposure subsea and application at depths up to 1300 m or greater.

Typically, first end piece 12 a and second end piece 12 b are securely fastened to their respective ends of housing 10, such as, by way of example and not limitation, being removably and securely affixed to their respective ends of housing 10 using a plurality of fasteners 18. In alternative embodiments, first end piece 12 a and second end piece 12 b are securely fastened to their respective ends of housing 10 a more or less permanently by any appropriate means such as welding.

Referring additionally to FIG. 3, subsea actuator remediation tool 1 comprises a fail-safe closed position. In typical embodiments, the fail-safe closed position comprises having spring 14 comprise a substantially uncompressed state which urges piston 17 against piston stop 17 a, typically in an occlusive arrangement.

In a further embodiment, referring additionally to FIG. 4, subsea actuator remediation tool system 100 comprises subsea actuator remediation tool 1, as described above, placed into fluid communication with a plurality of manifolds and valves.

In an exemplary embodiment of subsea actuator remediation tool system 100, the manifolds and valves comprise first manifold 30, comprising a first fluid port 30 a; first valve 41 operatively in fluid communication with first fluid port 30 a and subsea actuator remediation tool 1 first fluid input 19 a; second manifold 32, comprising a second manifold first port 32 a and a second manifold second port 32 b; and second valve 42 operatively in fluid communication with subsea actuator remediation tool 1 first fluid output 19 b and with second manifold first port 32 a. In certain embodiments, third valve 43 may be present and operatively in fluid communication with first fluid output 19 a, first valve 41, and second manifold second port 32 b. Each valve may be of any appropriate type such as paddle valves, ball valves, or the like, or any other appropriate valve

One or more of the manifolds, e.g. first manifold 30 and/or second manifold 32, may comprise a dual pressure (DP) manifold such as an existing 17H dual pressure (DP) manifold. Additionally, one or more of the manifolds may be used in conjunction with hot stab 71 such as via interface 72 which is adapted to mate, e.g. removably, with first manifold 30.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in embodiments, one or more sensors may be present and configured to aid on management of subsea actuator remediation tool system 100. By way of example and not limitation, in an embodiment sensor 60 is present and disposed between the first valve and the subsea actuator remediation tool. In other embodiments, sensor 62 may be present, either by itself or in addition to sensor 60, and disposed at a different place, e.g. between second valve 42 and subsea actuator remediation tool 1. These sensors may be pressure sensors or the like.

Referring to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments, subsea actuator remediation tool system 100 further comprises console 50, comprising one or more valve actuators operatively in communication with a predetermined set of valves. By way of example and not limitation, in an embodiment first valve actuator 110 is operatively in communication with first valve 41; second valve actuator 112 is operatively in communication with second valve 42; and third valve actuator 114 is operatively in communication with third valve 43. Although illustrated as manual valve actuators, these could be automated.

As also illustrated in FIG. 5, console 50 may comprise a housing into which subsea actuator remediation tool 1 may be placed, either completely or partially. Additionally, one or more gauges 120 may be present and operatively in communication with an associated set, e.g. one or more, sensors 60, 61, 62 (FIG. 4).

In the operation of exemplary embodiments, referring back to FIG. 4, subsea actuator remediation tool 1 may be used to act as an interface to operate an actuator, e.g. one initially intended via hydraulic flying lead (HFL) input 72, by opening subsea actuator remediation tool 1 when pressure is applied and using spring 14 to close subsea actuator remediation tool 1 when pressure is relieved.

In an embodiment, interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation comprises operatively placing subsea actuator remediation tool 1, as described above, into fluid communication with one or more fluid supply lines, e.g. fluid supply line 101, to existing manifold such as manifold 30. Using fluid pressure in subsea actuator remediation tool 1, spring 14 is moved to a fail-safe closed position, e.g. spring 14 is uncompressed, when fluid pressure in fluid supply line 101 falls below a predetermined pressure indicative of a failed compensation. Subsea actuator remediation tool 1 is kept attached to hold the vacuum pressure within subsea actuator remediation tool 1. Further, subsea actuator remediation tool 1 is in an open, e.g. fluid flow permissive state, when pressure is applied and in a closed, e.g. fluid flow preventive state, when pressure is relieved.

In certain embodiments, pump 120 may be present and used to pull vacuum on one or more manifolds, e.g. 30, and selected manifolds sealed, such as with valve 41. As in other embodiments, subsea actuator remediation tool 1 is kept attached to hold the vacuum pressure within the actuator, assisted with a spring return system. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in subsea actuator arts, subsea actuator remediation tool 1 will first return to a fail-safe closed position (spring 14 in an uncompressed state) such as by using pump 130 to pull vacuum on a selected set of manifolds, e.g. 30, and then seal it with a valve such as valve 41. Subsea actuator remediation tool 1 will remain attached to hold the vacuum pressure within subsea actuator remediation tool 1. Subsea actuator remediation tool 1 will then act as the interface to operate to open subsea actuator remediation tool 1 when pressure is applied and spring return close when pressure is relieved.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1) A subsea actuator remediation tool, comprising: a) a housing defining an interior fluid pathway; b) a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway; c) a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway, the piston in communication with the spring; d) a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop; e) a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the first fluid input disposed proximate the first end piece; f) a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop; and g) a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece. 2) The subsea actuator remediation tool of claim 1, wherein the first end piece and the second end piece are securely fastened to their respective ends of the housing. 3) The subsea actuator remediation tool of claim 2, wherein the first end piece and the second end piece are removably fastened to their respective ends of the housing using a plurality of fasteners. 4) The subsea actuator remediation tool of claim 1, comprising a fail-safe closed position, the fail-safe closed position comprising: a) the spring, comprising an uncompressed state, disposed in its uncompressed state; and b) the piston urged against the piston stop by the spring in its uncompressed state. 5) The subsea actuator remediation tool of claim 1, wherein the piston is urged against the piston stop in an occlusive arrangement against the piston stop by the spring in the spring's uncompressed state. 6) A subsea actuator remediation tool system, comprising: a) a subsea actuator remediation tool, comprising: i) a housing defining an interior fluid pathway; ii) a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway; iii) a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway and in communication with the spring; iv) a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop; v) a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway and disposed proximate the first end piece; vi) a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop; and vii)a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece; b) a first manifold comprising a first fluid port; c) a first fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first fluid port and the first fluid input; d) a first valve operatively in fluid communication with the first fluid port and the first fluid input; e) a second manifold, comprising a second manifold first port and a second manifold second port; f) a second fluid pathway in fluid communication with the second fluid output and the second manifold first port; and g) a second valve operatively in fluid communication with the second fluid output and in fluid communication with the second manifold first port. 7) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of claim 6, further comprising: a) a third fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first fluid output and the second manifold second port; and b) a third valve operatively in fluid communication with the first fluid output, the first valve, and the second manifold second port. 8) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of claim 6, further comprising a console, the console comprising: a) a first valve actuator operatively in communication with the first valve; b) a second valve actuator operatively in communication with the second valve; and c) a third valve actuator operatively in communication with the third valve. 9) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of claim 6, wherein the first manifold comprises a dual pressure (DP) manifold. 10) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of claim 6, wherein the second manifold comprises a dual pressure (DP) manifold. 11) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of claim 6, further comprising a sensor disposed between the first valve and the subsea actuator remediation tool. 12) The subsea actuator remediation tool system of claim 6, further comprising a sensor disposed between the second valve and the subsea actuator remediation tool. 13) A method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a subsea actuator remediation tool with failed compensation, the subsea actuator remediation tool defining a spring return hydraulic actuator comprising a housing defining an interior fluid pathway, a spring disposed within the interior fluid pathway, a movable piston disposed within the interior fluid pathway and in communication with the spring, a first end piece disposed at a first end of the housing, the first end piece comprising a spring stop, a first fluid input in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway and disposed proximate the first end piece, a second end piece disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end piece, the second end piece comprising a piston stop, and a second fluid output in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway, the second fluid output disposed proximate the second end piece, the method comprising: a) operatively placing the subsea actuator remediation tool into fluid communication with a fluid supply line to an existing manifold; b) using fluid pressure in the subsea actuator remediation tool to return the spring to a fail-safe closed position when fluid pressure in the fluid supply line falls below a predetermined pressure indicative of a failed compensation; and c) keeping the subsea actuator remediation tool attached to hold the vacuum pressure within the actuator, assisted with a spring return system. 14) The method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation of claim 13, wherein the fail-safe closed position comprises the spring in a substantially uncompressed state. 15) The method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation of claim 13, further comprising opening the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is applied and using the spring to close the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is relieved. 16) The method of interfacing with an existing manifold to properly operate a spring return hydraulic actuator with failed compensation of claim 13, further comprising: a) using a pump to pull vacuum on a manifold; b) sealing the manifold with a valve; c) keeping the subsea actuator remediation tool attached to hold the vacuum pressure within the actuator; and d) allowing the subsea actuator remediation tool to act as an interface via a hydraulic flying lead input, comprising: i) opening the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is applied; and ii) using the spring to close the subsea actuator remediation tool when pressure is relieved. 